These Lemon Sugar Cookies are bright and zesty, perfect for bringing a smile to your face! They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor—great for any occasion.
I love how they fill the kitchen with a cheerful scent while baking! Enjoy them with a cup of tea, or just grab one (or a few) straight from the jar. 🍋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Flour: All-purpose flour is what you need here. It gives the cookies a nice structure. If you need a gluten-free option, try using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend!
Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred to control the salt level in your cookies. If you’re in a pinch, you can use salted butter—just skip adding extra salt.
Lemon Zest & Juice: Fresh zest and juice really elevate the flavor! If you can’t find fresh lemons, lemon extract can work as a substitute, but start with a teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Sugar: For rolling, granulated sugar gives a lovely sparkle. If you want a less sweet flavor, you could try using coconut sugar instead, though it’ll create a darker cookie.
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Cookie Dough Consistency?
Getting the cookie dough right is key to making tender cookies. Here’s how to ensure your dough is just right:
- Start with room temperature butter—it blends easier with sugar. Beat until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- When mixing in the flour, do it gradually. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so mix until just combined.
- If the dough feels too sticky, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps in rolling them into balls.
How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep and 10-12 minutes to bake. You’ll have a total time of around 30 minutes before you can enjoy your tasty lemon sugar cookies!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure that everything is well combined. Now, set it aside for later!
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. It’s an important step, as it adds air to your cookies!
4. Add the Wet Ingredients:
Add the egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix everything together until it’s nicely combined. The lemon zest will give your cookies a fresh, zesty flavor!
5. Combine the Mixtures:
Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is just combined. Remember, it’s okay if the batter is still a little lumpy! You don’t want to overmix it.
6. Shape the Cookies:
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, scoop out the dough and roll it into balls. Then, roll each ball in some additional granulated sugar to give them a sweet coating.
7. Prepare for Baking:
Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the lined baking sheets, making sure to space them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Pop the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they’re ready when the edges are lightly golden, and the tops look crackled!
9. Cool Down:
Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Enjoy!
Now it’s time to enjoy your delicious lemon sugar cookies with their refreshing hint of citrus! Perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself!
Can I Use Different Citrus Zest Instead of Lemon?
Absolutely! You can substitute lemon zest with lime, orange, or even grapefruit zest for a different flavor profile. Just make sure to use the same amount of zest as called for in the recipe!
What Can I Substitute for Unsalted Butter?
If you don’t have unsalted butter on hand, you can use salted butter instead. Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon. Alternatively, you can use coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute for a dairy-free version.
How Should I Store My Lemon Sugar Cookies?
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking!
Can I Add a Glaze or Icing on Top?
Sure! For an added lemony touch, you can drizzle a simple lemon glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice over the cooled cookies. Just mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice until smooth, and drizzle it on top!
